THE leaders of a local scout group have spoken of their delight, after they were able to make urgent repairs to their headquarters thanks to a grant from the owners of the Penarth Times.
Roger Morse and Pat Davies, of the 15th Penarth (Owen-Dicks) Scout Group, said the £8,000 donation by the Gannett Foundation - the charitable arm of the company which owns Newsquest Media Group - had ensured the club could continue to use their home of more than 50 years, behind Elfed Avenue Church.
The money has been used to re-roof the building, which is used weekly by up to 60 children aged six to 14, and to install three new skylights.
Group scoutt leader Roger called it a "godsend" when he found out.
"We can't say thank you enough," he said.
"Had we not had that money we most certainly wouldn't be able to use the hall here.
"The roof was so bad we had eight or nine really bad leaks and each time it would blow the fuses, and it smelt badly of damp."
Chairwoman Pat, who applied for the grant on behalf of the group, added: "We were so shocked when we heard we had been awarded the money.
"It saved us that's for sure - and we didn't even have to cancel any sessions as the church were kind enough to let us use the hall while the repair work was carried out.
"The danger is once you put the children off for too long you lose them. But thanks to this amazing donation we now have a watertight facility that can be used and enjoyed for another 50 years!"